Vertical XL2 mountain bicycles

CPSC Recall #02-198 — July 9, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-198
Recall DateJuly 9, 2002
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 4,700

Where It Was Sold

Target stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from August 1999 through March 2000 for about $130.

Product

Vertical XL2 mountain bicycles

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dynacraft Industries Inc., of San Rafael, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4,700 Vertical XL2 mountain bicycles. The forks on these bicycles can break apart, causing riders to lose control, fall and suffer serious injury.Dynacraft has received six reports of the forks breaking apart on these bicycles resulting in injuries that include abrasions, cuts, bruises and broken teeth.The recall includes only 24-inch Vertical XL2 mountain bicycles, with model number 8524-21. A label on the frame near the crank housing identifies the model number. The bicycles are red. "Vertical" is written on the top tube, and "XL2" is written on the down tube.Target stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from August 1999 through March 2000 for about $130.Consumers should stop using these bicycles immediately and contact Dynacraft Industries for information on receiving a free replacement fork and free installation. For more information, contact Dynacraft at (800) 288-1560 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit their website at www.dynacraftbike.com.

Hazard

The forks on these bicycles can break apart, causing riders to lose control, fall and suffer serious injury.

Incidents & Injuries

Dynacraft has received six reports of the forks breaking apart on these bicycles resulting in injuries that include abrasions, cuts, bruises and broken teeth.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these bicycles immediately and contact Dynacraft Industries for information on receiving a free replacement fork and free installation.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.